Petition to block miraa public funding, Task Force certified urgent

June 21, 2016 3:36 pm

The petitioners also contended that there is a conflict of interest since the lawyer who initially represented them has since been appointed/FILE

By RACHEAL MBURU, NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 21 – The High Court has certified as urgent a petition by miraa farmers and traders seeking to block public funding and swearing-in of officials of the newly formed sector Task Force.

Appearing before Justice Joseph Onguto, the farmers and traders complained that they have not been adequately represented in the Task Force which is intended to oversee the miraa business.

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They further insisted that the Task Force was unlawfully gazetted while claiming that their interests will not be catered for, should its members take up office.

They specifically faulted the appointment of the vice – chairman claiming he has integrity issues as he has never accounted for funds that miraa stakeholders raised to file a case in the UK to ban the sale of the product.

The petitioners also contended that there is a conflict of interest since the lawyer who initially represented them has since been appointed.

They now want the swearing-in of the Task Force put on hold until consultations with real miraa stakeholders takes place and relevant officials appointed.